Thursday, February 23, 2017

Two top trumpet talents – coming together beautifully on
this groovy late 70s set! Both Herb Alpert and Hugh Masekela had a big rise to
fame in the 60s – Herb, for his Tijuana Brass albums on A&M – and Hugh, for
the way that he brought South African jazz currents to the American soul
mainstream! Given that both had strong presence on the Cali scene in their
time, the pairing here is a great one – and works well with some larger jazz
backings that color things out in a mix of soul, fusion, funk, and some slight
South African touches. Other players on the set include Lee Ritenour and Arthur
Adams on guitars, Paulinho Da Costa on percussion, James Gadson on bass, and
Hotep Cecil Bernard on piano – and titles include "Skokiaan",
"Moonza", "Lobo", "African Summer", "Ring
Bell", and "Happy Hanna".
~ Dusty Groove

JOSE JAMES – LOVE IN A TIME OF MADNESS

Jose James has a very different look on the cover this time
around – and he's got a very different sound, as well – something that might be
underscored by the parental advisory logo in the bottom corner of the image!
The music is far from the straight jazz or rootsy soul of previous albums from
James – and has more of a slimmed-down, slightly-cosmic blend of keyboards and
rhythm programs – often set to a slow pace that works perfectly with the depth
of Jose's vocals, and given the kind of slight electro crackle that a few other
underground soul artists were exploring in the previous decade. The approach is
still very fresh, though – especially in the hands of Jose, whose vocals are
often so great, they often really get to stretch out and flow in the spareness
of the setting. Definitely more soul than jazz, and the album features guest
appearances by Mali Music and Oleta Adams – on titles that include "Always
There", "What Good Is Love", "Remember Our Love",
"Ladies Man", "To Be With You", "Let It Fall",
"I'm Yours", "Breathrough", and "Closer". ~ Dusty Groove

CAMERON GRAVES – PLANETARY PRINCE

A fantastic debut as a leader from pianist Cameron Graves –
an artist you might know from Kamasi Washington's album The Epic – and an even
more tremendous talent when he gets his own chance to shine in the spotlight!
Graves has a very bold, righteous vision here – a mode that's in the same
California Get Down spirit as Washington's music, but with more focus on the
structures built up by the piano – almost a post-modal approach, with soaring
spiritual currents – served up not just by Graves on the keys, but also by
Kamasi Washington on tenor, Philip Dizack on trumpet, and Ryan Porter on
trombone! The three horns have a way of wrapping together as a core, then
soaring to the skies – while Graves pumps up the movement with a great deal of
energy, and the soloists break off on their own. The group also features bass
from Thundercat on two tracks, and Hadrien Faraud on the rest – plus drums from
Ronald Bruner. Graves produced – which gives the record a very different feel
than other Mack Avenue releases – and titles include "Isle Of Love",
"The Lucifer Rebellion", "El Diablo", "Adam &
Eve", "Planetary Prince", "The End Of Corporatism",
and "Satania Our Solar System". ~ Dusty Groove